They say that the eyes are the window to the soul but do you know what many may not realise? The skin around the eyes is equally a stark telltale sign of a horde of things like genetics, sleep quality, stress levels, lifestyle, age and more. The three common skin conditions we notice are dark circles, puffiness or under-eye bags and wrinkles. Feel the urge to slather on a good eye cream, pronto? Hold on. Before we get to the good part, let’s understand the causes behind these skin concerns.
What Are Dark Circles, Puffiness and Wrinkles?
Dark Circles
When you don’t get proper sleep, the blood vessels (which regulate blood flow, pressure and oxygen levels) get deoxygenated and as a result dilate for increased blood flow to curb the lack of oxygen. Added to this, the skin under the eyes is thin and delicate. Due to this combination, the skin around the eyes can appear dark.
Under Eye Bags/Puffiness
Our facial skin has lipids/fatty acids and muscles that retain the skin’s natural firmness. However, with age, the natural fats droop towards the lower lids and the muscles weaken, causing the ‘baggy’ appearance of under-eye skin. Consumption of high-sodium foods also increases fluid retention, and alcohol consumption can lead to dehydration and inflammation around the eye. These factors together can make under eyes look saggy or swollen.
Wrinkle
Creases and crow’s feet become a common occurrence as we age. They could also be signs of premature ageing due to sun damage and dehydration. As the skin ages, the rate of collagen and ceramides decreases, both of which are crucial to maintaining skin elasticity and moisture barrier. This leaves the skin parched, resulting in wrinkles. The skin around the eyes is one of the first areas to be affected as it’s thin and delicate.
Now that you know what causes these concerns, it’s time to hone in on some of the best eye creams for dark circles, wrinkles and under-eye bags.
1. All-Rounder
Why we love it: It is a lightweight water-based serum that’s great for all skin types. A quick-to-absorb formula, all you need is two to three drops for the entire eye area. It’s a 30ml bottle that will last you a good two months to properly see the results as it starts fading the appearance of dark circles in just 3 weeks as per brand claims.
Key Ingredients: 5% caffeine solution and ECGC
2. Under 500
Why we love it: This one comes from a brand loved by generations of Indian customers and that always brings us affordable skincare solutions. Their affordable eye cream is super nourishing and targets multiple concerns like fine lines, dehydration and puffiness. It comes in a travel-friendly size and is perfect for those looking for a budget buy.
Key Ingredients: Sweet almond oil, coffee extracts, argan oil and niacinamide
3. Anti-Ageing Essential
Why we love it: L’Oreal always figures out a way to give skincare a premium, luxe feel while keeping our pockets burn-proof. The Revitalift Triple Action Eye Cream can help smoothen out wrinkles, reduce puffiness and moisturise the skin around the eyes. Available in a 15ml tube, this eye cream also has a metal tip for that cooling effect.
Key Ingredients: Pro-xylane, caffeine and adenosine
4. Worth The Splurge
Why we love it: With a combined 30k+ ratings, the Advanced Night Repair range is Estee Lauder’s best-seller on Nykaa. So, naturally, we had to give this top-rated eye cream for dark circles and wrinkles a shout-out. While one reviewer saw a reduction in fine lines and under-eye bags after using it religiously for three weeks, another started seeing results in a week.
Key Ingredients: Antioxidants, hyaluronic acid and FR Defense Technology
5. Best Brightening Eye Cream With SPF
Why we love it: Sun damage is a one-way, fast-lane ticket to hyperpigmentation. The Dot & Key Super Bright Under Eye Cream not only offers an SPF of 30 but also has vitamin C that fights free radicals and brightening properties. Just a few metal-ball strokes using the cooling metal roller applicator and you’ll be bidding goodbye to dark circles and dullness for good.
Key Ingredients: Triple vitamin C, collagen peptides, caffeine and UV filters
6. Antioxidant-Rich
Why we love it: If you’re a fan of antioxidants in your skincare, this one will pass with flying colours. It has two potent antioxidants – green tea and vitamin C – making for a hyperpigmentation-fighting concoction. Moreover, it has a lightweight formula to hydrate and replenish your skin around the eyes.
Key Ingredients: Green tea, Vitamin C and niacinamide and peptides
7. Depuffing And Firming
Why we love it: Puffy, sagging skin can give the under eyes a swollen look. This occurs when the muscle tissue under the eyes weakens over time. This may also be further enhanced due to fluid retention. While the common reason is age, it can also happen due to high-stress levels and poor sleep. The Foxtale Firming Gel is enriched with firming agents like peptides and algae extracts that show results based on the severity of the bags. If you have early signs of puffy, under-eye bags, chances are that you will see relatively faster results. On more mature skin, it may take for one to see a change in their under eyes. The key here is patience.
Key Ingredients: Brown and red algae extracts and peptides
8. Hydrating Formula for Wrinkles
Why we love it: The dehydrated under-eye area is one of the major reasons for wrinkles and crow’s feet. Give it a healthy dose of hydration with the L'oreal Paris’ Revitalift Eye Serum. It’s formulated with humectant hyaluronic acid and caffeine that helps restore hydration and radiance. What’s more, its unique applicator with three metal rollers fits the contour of the eye socket for a relaxing cooling sensation.
Key Ingredients: 2.5% hyaluronic acid and caffeine
9. Best Rated
Why we love it: With 14k ratings and 1800+ reviews, the Moms Co Natural Vita Rich Under Eye Cream packs all the punch you need to transform the under-eye area. With equal parts of active and natural ingredients, this targets four concerns – dark circles, puffiness, wrinkles and fine lines. So, whether you’re pulling all-nighters or seeing signs of ageing catching up to you, this one works for every under-eye-related skin concern.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, coffee oil and chamomile oil
10. Best Caffeine Formula
Why we love it: Caffeine is considered a potent ingredient that can help mitigate dark circles and puffiness over time. As India’s first caffeinated personal care brand, MCaffeine’s Coffee Under Eye Cream not only reduces dark circles but also tackles sun damage.
Key Ingredients: Coffee, caffeine, vitamin E and white water lily extract
11. Nighttime Under Eye Care
Why we love it: Retinol is one of the best anti-ageing ingredients that reduces signs of premature ageing and aids cell turnover for smooth, radiant skin. Be Bodywise’s 2% Bio Retinol Under Eye Cream is a lightweight, hydrating gel that absorbs quickly and instantly soothes puffy eyes. Since it has retinol, this is best applied at nighttime.
Key Ingredients: 2% bio retinol, 2% kakadu plum and 1% niacinamide
12. Ultimate Boost Of Brightness
Why we love it: Caffeine with vitamin C is what we consider a mega boost of antioxidant goodness! It has a nozzle dispenser to squeeze out the right amount. It’s a quick-absorbing gel that doesn’t pill so one can conveniently wear this under sunscreen. Along with 3% vitamin C and caffeine, it also has 3% peptides to hydrate and maintain under-eye skin elasticity.
Key Ingredients: Caffeine, vitamin C and peptides
